Dog owners are celebrating after a council decision to return on-leash orange leash zones to an early time during winter on Illawarra beaches.
Wollongong City Council’s proposal of a flat year-round policy of before 9am and after 5pm experienced backlash from locals during its meeting on Monday.
Wollongong City Council regulation and compliance manager Diane Sarkies said the community feedback was a priority.
“We would get random comments both sent directly to council but also to our animal compliance team … saying that the time was quite confusing,” Ms Sarkies said.
“Forty-five respondents didn’t support that change, mostly because that 5pm start time would put them in the dark zone of the day.”
Dogs will continue to be allowed on leash at selected beaches before 9am and after 6pm in summer and after 4pm in winter.
The council has decided to amend its previous policy to listen to locals who enjoy taking their dogs for a walk earlier.
